REFLECTIONS
DO I HAVE BIBLE FAITH?
The article last month on "Faith" seemed
to stimulate much discussion, both pro
and con. I wish all of our articles did that.
Hopefully, you have been challenged to
go to your Bible for additional
information.
“Now faith IS the SUBSTANCE of things hoped for, the
EVIDENCE of
things NOT SEEN." Hebrews 11:1 (caps mine)
Bible "faith" is real, not blind. Bible "faith" is based on what God
has said, not what we visualize nor positively confess. We do not
have to see the evidence. A title deed gives ownership of the
property, regardless of whether you have seen it or not.
"Through faith we UNDERSTAND that the worlds were framed by
the word of God, so that THINGS WHICH ARE SEEN were not
made of THINGS WHICH DO APPEAR." Hebrews 11:3 (caps
mine)
Observe that the verse does not say through faith we "believe,"
but "through faith we understand." Not that we understand how
God did it, but just that He did it. How could we know that? By
reading God's Book! The Bible tells us from Genesis through
Revelation that God created the heavens and earth, but the world
has decided to teach evolution. People choose to believe one or
the other (that's their faith in action.)
There are eighteen individuals mentioned in Hebrews 11 and
each of them had different marching orders. God's word says
"build an ark," but it doesn't say it to everyone. Suppose Abraham
had "built an ark" and Noah had gone "into a far country!" Faith
comes by believing what God says to us. This is what Paul called
"rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15.) We sing
"Every Promise in the Book is Mine," but no one heads to brook
Cherith to let the ravens feed them "there," a promise God made
to Elijah (1 Kings 17:3-4).
"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of
God."
Romans 10:17
Faith doesn't come by dreams, visions nor experiences. A dream
might come true, or it might not come true. A feeling, instinct or
intuition might be right, and again it might not. Faith in such fickle
things is not Bible faith. We are hearing more and more of some
"end time" prophecy made by some religious "con man." In Old
Testament Israel, anyone who claimed such ability would have
paid with his life if he was anything but 100% correct
(Deuteronomy 18:19-22.)
When Paul introduced "the mystery" to the Gentiles, he claimed
that body of truth would complete God's revelation for man
(Colossians 1:25.) For anyone to claim additional revelation
would be adding to God's word. To claim any "prophecy" not
found in the pages of the Bible is to prophesy falsely.
"Behold, I am against them that PROPHESY FALSE
DREAMS, saith the Lord...and cause My people to err by their
LIES...I sent them not..." Jeremiah 23:32 (caps mine)
"For such are FALSE APOSTLES, DECEITFUL workers,
transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no
marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
Therefore it is no great thing if HIS (Satan's) MINISTERS also
be transformed as the ministers of righteousness..." 2
Corinthians 11:13-15 (caps mine)
GOD HAS PUT IN WRITING WHAT HE WANTS US TO
KNOW
Satan loves to twist God's words. He started in Eden and has
not stopped. The last few years religious man has been
jumping from one translation to another. Each man can
become judge and jury on what he thinks God says. When
the authority of the King is set aside, then each man becomes
his own authority. (Judges 17:6)
ADAM FELL BY FAITH
Faith has no supernatural power. It is not "our believing," but
Who or what we believe. Adam and Eve placed "faith" in what
Satan said, over and above what they believed about what
God said.
Why wasn't Paul healed when he asked God three times to
heal him (2 Corinthians 12:8?) Was it due to Paul's lack of
faith? Paul had enough faith to ask, even to ask three times.
Was there scripture that Paul could quote that guaranteed his
healing? Evidently not! God had obviously healed Paul many
times before, even bringing him back from the dead (2
Corinthians 11:23,) yet those healings were based on God's
grace, not His guarantee (His word.)
What if a person sincerely asks Christ to save him, will Christ
do so? When a lost sinner asks Jesus Christ to save him,
God guarantees to do so in writing, (Romans 10:13.) It is the
object of faith that counts, not who has the faith. Faith is
simply believing what God wrote to us.
"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of
God." Romans 10:17
Keep Looking Up!
In loving memory of Leland Maples
Keep Looking Up